18 Weeks, Overall is a must!

[NextProtege]

Some more pics of me posing with the monster

[domingochavez]

Holding your own mate, looking really crisp!

[NextProtege]

Holding your own mate, looking really crisp!

Hope it's crisp enough for these shows. Was good practice trying to hang with someone who currently weighs within super heavy lbs, I feel more confident against bigger guys this time.

4/1/2014
11 days out
11 days
Morning Weight: 182.0
Macros: 240p/255c/30f
Workout: Foam Roller x 20min, Upper Power Pull
Pullups, wide overhand: 5 sets x 10
DB Row: 75x12each, 100x12each, 120x12each, 120x12each, 120x12each, (Volume PR)
Neutral Grip Cable Row: 125x15, 150x12, 175x10, 175x10
Underhand Barbell Shrug/Row Hybrid: 205x15, 4 sets
Wide Grip Preacher Curl: 85x10, 85x8, 85x6, 85 x 4
Weighted Back Extensions: 25lbs x 20, 2 sets

Volume PR today, don't know where that came from. 11 days out.

[NextProtege]

4/2/14
Morning Weight 181.8
10 days out
Macros: 230p/245c/30f
Workout: Incline 100 meter dashes in the sun, 30min bike ride, tanning x 15 min (New PR), Routine practice x 20min


Another photo from the shoot:


Just a really really hungry style day.

[domingochavez]

Rambo is that you?!?

What is your strategy to get through the hunger at these levels of leanness?

[NextProtege]

Rambo is that you?!?

What is your strategy to get through the hunger at these levels of leanness?

I'm trying everything and I'll have to admit, it's probably pretty close to a heroine addict without their heroine. All I think about is food. Sleep is upset because of hunger. Energy fluctuates hard. I compare it to boot camp now, that last 4 weeks of usmc boot is terrible but you know if you just keep one foot in front of the other you'll make it. Also, there is no other choice but to move forward. I know I'll look back at this mind set in a couple weeks and laugh, but for now it is like every day spans a week, every meal to meal is a day. Can be pretty horrible.

I also dropped all sugar free gum and false sugars, any diet drinks, or supplemts that are flavored, dairy and whey are also missing from the diet. Not leaving anything on the table here.

[deltpecx]

I'm trying everything and I'll have to admit, it's probably pretty close to a heroine addict without their heroine. All I think about is food. Sleep is upset because of hunger. Energy fluctuates hard. I compare it to boot camp now, that last 4 weeks of usmc boot is terrible but you know if you just keep one foot in front of the other you'll make it. Also, there is no other choice but to move forward. I know I'll look back at this mind set in a couple weeks and laugh, but for now it is like every day spans a week, every meal to meal is a day. Can be pretty horrible.
..

You got this Marine!
Spoken like a true Marine!



















BTW: thanks again for your service!

[soleution]

I'm trying everything and I'll have to admit, it's probably pretty close to a heroine addict without their heroine. All I think about is food. Sleep is upset because of hunger. Energy fluctuates hard. I compare it to boot camp now, that last 4 weeks of usmc boot is terrible but you know if you just keep one foot in front of the other you'll make it. Also, there is no other choice but to move forward. I know I'll look back at this mind set in a couple weeks and laugh, but for now it is like every day spans a week, every meal to meal is a day. Can be pretty horrible

How much do you think you have left to lose? What do you think you deficit at is at this point? Do you think you are looking carb depleted? are you going to carb load into the show? Sorry for all the questions. I am a week behind you and I am at a BF% where I am basically eating near maintenance and weight is holding pretty stable. As a result of the added cals i look fuller but leaner at the same time.

[Blazed]

Bookmarked your reply to Domingo for when I get there in a few months!

Keep fighting the good fight!

[jpfaherty]

I'm trying everything and I'll have to admit, it's probably pretty close to a heroine addict without their heroine. All I think about is food. Sleep is upset because of hunger. Energy fluctuates hard. I compare it to boot camp now, that last 4 weeks of usmc boot is terrible but you know if you just keep one foot in front of the other you'll make it. Also, there is no other choice but to move forward. I know I'll look back at this mind set in a couple weeks and laugh, but for now it is like every day spans a week, every meal to meal is a day. Can be pretty horrible.

I also dropped all sugar free gum and false sugars, any diet drinks, or supplemts that are flavored, dairy and whey are also missing from the diet. Not leaving anything on the table here.

I know these feels bro. Like you said, head down, one foot in front of the other. Almost there!

OVERALL IS A MUST!!

[NextProtege]

Wow, thanks for the support everyone I had no idea that post would resound with so many.

How much do you think you have left to lose? What do you think you deficit at is at this point? Do you think you are looking carb depleted? are you going to carb load into the show? Sorry for all the questions. I am a week behind you and I am at a BF% where I am basically eating near maintenance and weight is holding pretty stable. As a result of the added cals i look fuller but leaner at the same time.

That's a lot of questions man and I'll answer them as best I can.

I think I have a lb of fat in my ass still, that lb is covered by my trunks. I still want to see how low body fat I can go. I can see quite a bit of fullness still considering how low my calories are this week. I don't know if my body is adjusting to the lower calories but this is a day to day game right now. I will be carb loading lightly into Vancouver with plenty of sodium to fill out, roughly 300g Thursday/Friday and assessing Saturday how I look. I can be a little more extreme with the following weekend probably ping up to 450-500g per day as cutting will officially be done that last week.

[soleution]

Wow, thanks for the support everyone I had no idea that post would resound with so many.




That's a lot of questions man and I'll answer them as best I can.

I think I have a lb of fat in my ass still, that lb is covered by my trunks. I still want to see how low body fat I can go. I can see quite a bit of fullness still considering how low my calories are this week. I don't know if my body is adjusting to the lower calories but this is a day to day game right now. I will be carb loading lightly into Vancouver with plenty of sodium to fill out, roughly 300g Thursday/Friday and assessing Saturday how I look. I can be a little more extreme with the following weekend probably ping up to 450-500g per day as cutting will officially be done that last week.

Thanks for the response man! I appreciate you taking the time to answer. respect what you are doing in here.

[NextProtege]

Thanks for the response man! I appreciate you taking the time to answer. respect what you are doing in here.

For sure man, I appreciate the questions and feedback and I'm excited for your show!




4/3/14
Morning Weight 181.6
9 days out, single digit days out...!
Macros: 240p/260c/30f
Workout: Glutes/Hams/Calves and Foam Rolling
Seated Hamstring Curls: 87.5x20, 100x20, 112.5x20
Sumo Deadlifts: 185x10, 275x10, 365x10, 385x10, 405x7
Seated Abductor: 3 sets x 30
Unilateral Ham Curl: 3 sets x 15each
Lying Ham Curl: 3 sets x 12
SLDL: 3 sets x 20
Seated Calve Raises: 125lbs x 25, 3 sets
Standing Calve Raises: 25lbs x 15 each, 3 sets
Hanging Leg Raises
Foam Rolling

Today was eventful, kept my mind off of the diet. Looked at another house, since we are in backup offer still on the first offer, and found something just as good just a couple blocks away. Now I am in first position, pretty exciting. Secondly, the promoter of the show, Tanji Johnson sent me a text today and said I am looking great, which really put a smile on my face because I needed that level of motivation to get through today. Only a week left and I'm driving up to Vancouver

[domingochavez]

Home stretch buddy!

Are you front loading your carbs or backloading closer to the show? Either way more food shortly!

[NextProtege]

Home stretch buddy!

Are you front loading your carbs or backloading closer to the show? Either way more food shortly!

I'm backloading, always works best when I eat the most on Thursday. Going to go about 450 on carbs and assess how I look by Friday night on 350 more before I raise them or stay the same. Excited for that food, so damn excited for that.





4/4/14
Morning weight 181.8 (Jesus this is annoying but feel like I am much tighter than 181 still)
Macros: 230p/250c/30f (lowest yet)
Workout: 20min foam rolling, 60min hard bike ride.

Lots of stuff happening today. Had a couple client cancellations, which made my day go from 7 to five people, and sent one home for being sick. Gave myself some time to hop on the bike and go around the river loop. I made it about 4miles before my bike chain disconnected and edged itself between the frame. Luckily I was next to valley river inn and they were helpful enough to loosen the bolt for me to get going again. Thereafter I finished my ride with 15min to spare before my next client. I had a small window to eat so I made a chicken salad when my phone rang. Our realtor said our offer was accepted on the short sale we looked at this week and we are first in line for this property. Very cool! Finally, got home and set up a movie date out with the girlfriend to see a film she was an extra in with her friend Tina. Also bought her some pants from an online yoga store that turned out just perfect on her. The movie turned out really silly but we spotted her in the background of a big scene at a coffee bar. My girl on the big screen! Hah.

[domingochavez]

Good to hear some real life stuff is still getting done, balancing all of this nicely man!

[NextProtege]

Good to hear some real life stuff is still getting done, balancing all of this nicely man!

Life goes on




4/5/14
Morning weight: 180.8
7 days out
Workout: 20min stepmill, stretching, abs, foam roller
Macros: 230p/265c/38f/3gal

Next four days are peak week protocol. Power push, hyper pull, hyper lower pull, full upper hyper. Thur and fri off, just light cardio. Woke up today looking better than ever. Excited.

[NextProtege]

4/6/14
Morning weight: 181.0
6 days out
Macros: 230p/260c/38f/3 gal
Workout: 20min foam roll, chest hyper, 1hour incline walk, posing x 10 min

Incline bench: 125x15, 155x12, 185x10, 205x6, 205x6, 205x6
Db flat press&fly: 55x10, 60x10, 70x10,
75x8
Freemotion fly: 4 sets x 12
Body weight dips: 4 sets x 10
Db incline fly: 3 sets 50x8


I feel ready. Probably won't see the 170s, I've done everything I can to drop weight even at the cost of strength and it still won't budge below 180.8-181. I know I am leaner, posted pics from today's posing (avi) and I see that I am leaner than three weeks ago. I can barely sleep more then 5 hours without waking up due to hunger, all I do is think about food. Looking forward to the higher carbs at the end of this week.

From here on out it's just pump up and easy sailing. Thanks again for following the progress.

[domingochavez]

What a grind!

Enjoy peak week and show us how it's done on stage!

[domingochavez]

I've just been looking over your entries for the last month or so, your refeeds lately or lack thereof haven't been that big, what is the reason you've kept them at a minimum as I thought the leaner you were the more you had to refeed to keep things going?

[NextProtege]

I've just been looking over your entries for the last month or so, your refeeds lately or lack thereof haven't been that big, what is the reason you've kept them at a minimum as I thought the leaner you were the more you had to refeed to keep things going?

Decided I wanted to push through them, I could have kept then in but I don't think I would have been this lean or had to face the fact in regretting the higher days. Keen eye though man, I've been suffering that's for sure

[domingochavez]

Decided I wanted to push through them, I could have kept then in but I don't think I would have been this lean or had to face the fact in regretting the higher days. Keen eye though man, I've been suffering that's for sure

I'm keeping notes for if / when I get this lean! So it's interesting gathering lots of anecdotal evidence of how people push through those plateaus.

[deltpecx]

It's here!



PEAK WEEK!!!

[lmnop07]

I've lurked this thread for quite some time, very motivating and inspiring! good luck with everything and thanks for sharing this!!

[NextProtege]

179.8 new prep low i did it!!!!!

[deltpecx]

179.8 new prep low i did it!!!!!

Welcome to the 170s we've been waiting for you.

Congrats!

[domingochavez]

Whoosh!

[0jay0]

179.8 new prep low i did it!!!!!

Congrats man! Nice work

[0jay0]

More Pics! por favor

[NextProtege]

Welcome to the 170s we've been waiting for you.

Congrats!

YAY, finally!

Whoosh!

Couldn't have been timed more appropriately, stoked.

Congrats man! Nice work

Thank you! Goal weight was 170's

More Pics! por favor

I'll post one for now



4/7/14
Morning weight: 179.8 (prep low and goal weight)
5 days out
Macros: 240p/275c/34f
HIIT incline butte sprints x 10
Upper power pull & abs
Lat pull down: 140x20, 160x20, 180x15, 200x15
Db row: 75x15, 90x15, 100x15
Cable row: 4 sets x 15
Rear machine fly: 4 sets x 15
Hanging leg raises: 3 sets
Decline crunches: 3 sets

Today was glorious. Slept well for 8 hours, record weigh in finally hitting 170's, and an amazingly sunny and warm spring day. Went to Skinner's Butte to knock out my sprints at 10 am and had quite the euphoric almost religious experience knowing prep is pretty much done. The suffering is over, more calories, less exercise, and finally - the stage, is all that is left.
Sprints were great, clients were supportive, and after I write this I get to go to bed and eat breakfast . What a great day!